GB350421A - Improvements in and relating to the spring suspension of vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

350,421. Force-feed lubricating. NAYLOR, E. J., Thuya Cottage, Harefield Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex. Dec. 10, 1929, No. 37897. [Class 12 (iii).] In a road-vehicle suspension system, auxiliary helical springs of different strengths arranged in series are brought into action successively by hydraulic means controlled by the driver and actuated by the play of the vehicle on the main springs or by an engine or hand or foot-operated pump. In the construction shown in the Figure, a tubular member 9 connected to the axle slides vertically under the control of the auxiliary composite spring 2 in a casing 4 connected to the vehicle frame. The sleeve 1 forms a cylinder into which oil is fed so as to load the spring 2. Initial tension of the spring 2 is adjusted by vertical movement of the sleeve 1 by means of its upwardly screwed extension 5. A reciprocating plunger 7 operated by the relative movements between the axle and the vehicle frame is fixed to each casing 4, with a suction connection 15 from a storage tank, and a delivery 10. Oil is led from the delivery 10 to the cylinder 1 by a pipe, not shown, and an axial bore in the screwed extension 5. A spring 8 provides a resilient connection between the plunger 7 and the pumpoperating member 9<1> connected to the axle. One such device may be provided for each wheel of a motor vehicle, the cylinders being interconnected, and adjustable relief valves, one for each pair of wheels, controlled by the driver, may be provided. For starting with a heavy load, a further small pump could be added operating on the subsidiary springing, and low-pressure connections may be taken off each pump to facilitate automatic lubrication throughout the chassis. Surplus oil from the control devices is returned to the tank and may also be used to lubricate pedal bearings, clutch race, &c. Control by the driver may be supplemented by governor-operated release valves and the oil pump may be arranged to deliver oil only when the wheels are making maximum deflection. The hydraulic control apparatus may be applied to the screw spring suspension units described in Specification 348,667, [Group XXXII], in which a sleeve which is raised and lowered by a differential screw action acts on a subsidiarv spring. In one modification the pump is arranged below and in line with the auxiliary spring suspension, and in a further modification the pump is arranged inside a differential screw mechanism with various concentric and axial springs described in the above-mentioned Specification.